Vallerano
Welcome to Vallerano, a gem in the province of Viterbo
Hello friends, today I want to take you on a journey to discover a very picturesque village, Vallerano, located in the province of Viterbo, in the heart of Lazio. Vallerano is a municipality of just over 2,400 inhabitants, located on the southern slope of Mount Cimino, the highest peak of the Monti Cimini. In this text, I will talk about the geography of the area, the history, and the monuments that make Vallerano a truly interesting destination for local tourism.
Physical Geography
Territory
The territory of Vallerano is charming, starting from Mount Cimino that dominates it. Vallerano is located in a hilly area between the Tiber Valley and the Mignone Valley.
Climate
The climate of Vallerano is classified as zone E, 2113 GR/G. It is a territory where you can enjoy a pleasant Mediterranean climate, with hot and dry summers, while winters are mild, with little rainfall.
History
Vallerano boasts a thousand-year history, the first traces of settlements in the area date back to the Bronze Age. Then it was inhabited by populations of Etruscan origin and underwent the domination of the Romans with the advent of Roman civilization and the defeat of the Battle of Lake Vadimon in 283 BC. In the countryside of the town, you can find villanovian rock caves; the most important one is the "dei quadratini".
Monuments and places of interest
Vallerano is a real treasure for those who love artistic and cultural heritage. Let's discover together the main monuments and places of interest in the town.
Religious architecture
- Sanctuary of Maria SS.ma del Ruscello dei Donatori di Sangue: built in the early 17th century to a design by Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola, this sanctuary houses important works of art, such as the "Assumption of the Virgin Mary" by Giovanni Lanfranco and the "Ecstasy of St. Charles Borromeo" by Cristoforo Roncalli.
- Church of Sant'Andrea: built in 1512 by the Farnese family from Parma, it was rebuilt in the second half of the 18th century on the ruins of the ancient castle. Inside is the triptych "Assumption" by Carolino da Viterbo and 16th-century frescoes.
- Church of San Vittore Martire: built in Romanesque architecture before the 16th century, it is important for its precious coffered ceiling composed of 116 panels from 1762. The pipe organ dates back to the second half of the 17th century, while the baptismal font is from 1450.
- Church of Madonna del Rosario: built in the 17th century, it is in a state of abandonment in the medieval village of the town, near the former Vallerano hospital.
- Church of Santissimo Crocifisso: located outside the historic center, on the road to Fabrica di Roma, it was built around 1600 according to the designs of a student of Vignola.
- Church of Maria SS. della Pieve: built in Romanesque style in the 12th century, it preserves traces of mural paintings inside but is deconsecrated.
Moreover, in the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Ruscello, there is also a monumental organ, built by Cesare Burzi from Parma in 1635, a remarkable organist of the time.
Conclusions
In summary, visiting Vallerano means immersing yourself in a territory characterized by a rich thousand-year history, where various architectural styles coexist, from Roman times to the 17th century. In every corner of the town, there are elements that testify to the beauty and wealth of this place, including the churches and places of worship. If you are looking for a tourist destination to enjoy an extraordinary cultural heritage, Vallerano is the ideal destination for you.
